Poland has approved the transfer of Soviet-era MiG fighter jets to Ukraine, with the final count expected to reach up to nine aircraft, according to Deputy Defense Minister Paweł Zalewski in an interview with TVP World.
"The decision [of the government] has been made," Zalewski stated on the On the Record program. The minister indicated that technical discussions with Ukrainian counterparts are now in their final stages.
"We are waiting for the answer of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. Discussions are ongoing... these are completely technical discussions," Zalewski said.
When pressed on whether Ukraine has accepted Poland's offer, Zalewski suggested Kyiv's agreement is secured. "I believe... Ukrainians made the decision to accept this offer. Of course, there are some technical aspects which shall be clarified, as always," he added.
The deal builds on discussions from December 2025, when Poland's Ministry of Defense reported negotiations on a potential exchange that would see Poland receive Ukrainian drone technologies in return for the MiG fighters.
In December, another Polish Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk specified that "six to eight" jets were under consideration. Tomczyk noted these Soviet-era aircraft were approaching the end of their operational life in Poland's military. Zalewski's recent comments indicate the initial delivery would comprise "less than ten" planes.
According to Zalewski, technical details of the MiG transfer, including logistics and maintenance arrangements, are being finalized. Poland currently operates 14 MiG aircraft.
The transfer would mark Poland's first delivery of fighter jets to Ukraine, expanding beyond its previous military assistance of tanks, artillery and ammunition. Poland has maintained strong support for Ukraine since Russia's 2022 invasion.
During the same interview, Zalewski addressed Estonia's recent decision to ban Russian veterans from obtaining tourist visas. "Definitely," he responded when asked if Poland would demand similar EU-level measures. "I will talk to my colleagues responsible for that in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."
The minister cited reports showing Schengen states granted 500,000 visas to Russian citizens in 2025—100,000 more than the previous year.
On NATO's future and European defense, Zalewski dismissed speculation about alternative security arrangements. "There is no NATO without the United States," he said. "The European Union is not a competitor to NATO. We see in practice how Americans behave—there is no need to concentrate on Plan B."
